Weston Saint

From what I have been told we were as good as in Administration at the end of the season before Lowe took over. We could not afford the wages of Pearson or the high paid individuals let alone their appearance and win bonuses. It was a last gasp effort to keep us afloat by sidelining them and going for the cheap Dutch alternative. Why not a cheap English alternative? Because Lowe & Wilde had already decided they wanted to rely on a continental style of total football. They thought our young players (whose wages we could just afford) would take the division by storm. Once they had made up their mind, despite reservations from many experienced football brains in and outside of the club, there was no turning back for Lowe. That was his mistake, the not trying for a blend of cheap experience and youth. Would we have survived if he had worked it differently and listened to experience? Who knows but I have it on good authority that we were as good as gone before Lowe stepped back in and at that time he told others around him that it was an almost impossible task, financially. The damage had been done during the previous regime. Would Lowe have kept us solvent in the Championship had he not been pushed out? Who knows but his past record on financial stability was good. We might have been an average Championship side for a long while due to the stadium debt. Still, it has all worked out well in the end despite the severe pain in the meantime. Time to look forward but let us not forget the past. There were a lot of mistakes and we must make sure they do not happen again.

I agree entirely with your post. Many off this board think exactly the same. You meant Martin O'Neil of course.

Same reason you are allowed to post?

As a working Chairman/Chief Executive Lowe was far from being on of the worst Chairmen in football. His ideas and execution of business matters was good. His problem was his severe lack of communication skill linked with a personality trait that he was never wrong. Those two factors in a football club situation negated his undoubted business skills. Not just my opinion but shared by many who knew him well and others who worked with him.

That is not strictly correct but I have explained myself in a PM to you.

One thing to remember about that era. Yes McMenemy signed some fantastic players who were still at the top of their profession, more so than any other club outside of the major clubs but that was when wages were not an issue between the best and the run of the mill top 2 division players. If you strip away all his faults, yes he was one of our best, if not the best Saints Manager in our history but to place him in the top 20 League Managers since the war is, in my opinion, quite wrong and that is what Nineteen Canteen was trying to say and to engender debate. Sadly it also attracted abuse. Each to his own I suppose!

Thought it was a reasonable opening post which poses questions but at the same time the poster has given his opinion. Firstly the fee is about average for someone in the sports industry with the wide experience he has. He expects a "free lunch" as well As to being in the top 20 successful managers since the war I think that must be a generalisation unless they names the other 19. He had good success with Saints, no one could argue that, but his forays into other areas of football management at any level were less succesful. It you put your Sainst tinted glasses on he was great for us. In the wider football world I would question the accuracy of the claim Anyway, I prefer this content of post than "what shall we sing to Lallana etc.etc.etc. Still each to his own.

My wife thinks he should not be able to play until after the 9pm watershed

Only remember one cinema in Woolston in the 50's & 60's. We called it the "bug hutch" Saturday morning for 6d (old pence) in the late 50's. Fond memories

Yes he was still involved so could not buy the club. However a property deal for the stadium did not break any rules.

That is stretching it a bit then

For a while prior to the takeover I expected Sullivan to purchase the Stadium and rent it back to those who did not have enough money to purchase the whole club! It was a strong rumour.

The exhaust has been damaged. It might only be scratches but it has affected the appearance and if the only way of resolving is by replacement then it is fair to accept the money and wait to replace when it is convenient to you. Remember though that she only has to pay for a replacement taking into account wear and tear on the item, not it's new price. To get a replacement as new you will need to go through your own insurance. As a retired Claims Manager with Norwich Union I hope this helps and puts an end to some of the previous comments.

Funny but I prefer the content of Dubai Phil's posts over yours. Suppose I am one of lifes lucky. b'stds

Before last season I paid for and used Mrs "Frank's Cousins" season ticket as she did not want to lose her seat should her circumstances change. On one occasion it was reported there was to be a season ticket check so I rang the ticket office. They said it was not a problem. They were aware owners of season tickets could not attend every game and sometimes passed their ticket to family and friends. With the stipulation that the season ticket holder was responsible for the actions of those they loaned it to, they did not have a problem. No problem at the turnstiles either. Even joked with "Frank" in front of them over who was wearing the skirt that day! Will be fine.

Or the famous one "the batsman's Holding the bowler's Willey"

Can we have our money back please!

Doncaster have injury problems. Assume it is a 1 month emergency loan. As FF says it is strange to see him go to a higher league but cannot get into our team. However perhaps as we gain momentum Pardew sees us as better than Doncaster Not on any of the news or football sites yet! However NickH usually gets it right on such things

I too agree with Saint Lard. Pardew actually said after the game "We're looking a strong unit and whilst we're not looking as good as the top teams in this division we're getting better"

You are right about the left being unbalanced by Adam playing. However if he keeps putting in the goals and performances he will do for me. Pardew will need to find a way of resolving this issue. It is making it very hard for Harding

He does have good parents Phil, his father is a personal friend of mine. Adam is not looking for a move in January. As for what was said about a Premier club coming in for him pre season, it was Wolves for £500,000 it was not really that serious. Club made a bit of it to boost his confidence. Pleased to see him finding the net so often. His parents are very proud.

To be honest I was quite insulted by the remark from him but felt it best not to respond other than state what his family have said to me.

I can only tell you what his family have said and it is not in accord with what you were told.

Agree but we are basing this on now with present form of ex saints players (short term injuries excepted)

Actually McCarthy is very pleased with Drew. Even bought him on to do a job for Wolves when they were 1-0 up against Wigan away telling him he was putting him on as he knew he could hold the midfield. He did and they won. When you know what you are talking about DT or if you had expressed it as an opinion then fine but your post comes out as a statement of fact. It is not.